Ryan Papenhuyzen provides update as Cameron Munster's return thrown into doubt
The Storm star has been in sensational form this year having scored 12 tries in 14 appearances in 2025. Papenhuyzen is a key part of Melbourne's elite spine in the NRL, but is set to miss his third game after picking up a calf injury in round 17.
The Storm are sitting only two points behind the Canberra Raiders in second. And while Papenhuyzen admitted he has needed to manage the frustrating injury, the Storm have one eye on the finals coming up.
"It feels like it's improving, it's more just I can't really tell unless I'm running and we shut it down the last few days so I can't really give an indicator of where it's at," he said on Tuesday. "I'll have a run on Wednesday and if it's no good we will shut it down again ... it's a five-day turnaround into the Roosters so we can't be messing around.
"These little ones are more annoying in the sense that you can see the finish line and you want to push but you've got the bigger goal at the end of the year so I've got to be smart around that." While Papenhuyzen has been out, Nick Meaney has deputised at fullback and has been brilliant.
Meaney has scored two tries and kicked eight goals in his last two appearances in the No.1 jersey and will line-up against the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend. While Meaney has been named in a near-full strength Storm side, so has Munster. Although the Queensland captain has yet to return to training.
Munster and his family have been dealing with the death of his father Steven, which occurred days before the State of Origin decicer. Munster left Origin camp to visit his family and there were no expectations on Munster to return for the game. Although the Queensland captain led his side out and led his state to victory.
Munster missed the Storm's game last weekend having returned to see his family during the difficult time. However, he has been named to play at five-eighth against Manly. And while he is expected to play, Papenhuyzen admitted the leader hasn't returned to training yet.
"The club's been really good to give him some time off and obviously the emotional rollercoaster of Origin, let alone the passing of Steve, it's a massive toll to come back from," Papenhuyzen said. "We haven't seen him in yet - he's replied to all our messages though, and, he's in good spirits, but yeah, it's a grieving process you need to let people go through."
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The Storm sit two points behind the Raiders, although Canberra have a bye in hand heading into the final stretch of the season. The Storm will favour themselves against the Sea Eagles at home this weekend and their No.1 feels the team is building momentum.
"I think we just keep building," Papenhuyzen told 2GB Radio. "We have a good foundation. At the start of the year we were trying to find our identity and now we have a good balance.
"There is definitely room to build on it ... when finals come around, you just have to make the most of moments when they come. We are just going to keep rolling on like we are doing."
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